WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Justice has charged five men in connection with an alleged plot to attack the Ultimate Fighting Championship Freedom 250 event held at the White House on Sunday, officials said.
The charges were announced Tuesday following arrests in a multi-state operation involving the FBI and local law enforcement. The men are accused of conspiring to carry out a mass casualty attack targeting government officials and others attending the event on the White House grounds.
According to court documents, the alleged plot involved deploying small drones armed with explosives to cause panic and force an evacuation, followed by snipers firing on people fleeing the scene, including high-value targets. The investigation began around June 10 after authorities became aware of the potential threat.
The defendants are Tycen C. Proper, 19, of Ohio; Daniel K. Eskridge, 32, of Missouri; Abraham Hermosillo Alvarez, 31, of Nebraska; and Bryan Omar Roa, 24, and Michael Alan Thomas, 32, both of California. Each faces at least one count of conspiracy to commit murder, which carries a maximum penalty of life in prison. Proper faces additional charges, including conspiracy to commit violence on White House grounds.
FBI Director Kash Patel stated that the plot was “stopped cold by the FBI and law enforcement partners,” with multiple individuals now in custody.
U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II said the swift action prevented the alleged plan from being carried out. Weapons, ammunition and tactical gear were reportedly seized during searches.
One defendant’s mother reportedly contacted authorities after concerns about her son’s behavior and communications. Court filings describe discussions in an encrypted chat about sniper positions, drone deployment and escape routes.
The UFC event took place without incident due to heightened security measures. A Secret Service official said the event itself was never at risk.
All five men have been arrested and are detained pending further proceedings. The investigation remains active, according to officials. No additional suspects have been publicly identified.
The case highlights ongoing security concerns around major events at the White House. Further court appearances and details from the investigation are expected in coming days.
